Louis Vuitton Renews Nicolas Ghesquière Contract as Women’s Artistic Director

Louis Vuitton has renewed Nicolas Ghesquière’s contract as the artistic director of women’s collections for another five years. The news comes as the 52-year-old designer reaches his 10th anniversary at the brand’s helm — an especially impressive achievement considering designers’ fast turnovers within fashion houses today.

“It is a true honour to continue writing the story of Louis Vuitton,” said Ghesquière in a statement. “We began the first chapter ten years ago, defining a new identity based on extraordinary heritage and a constant focus on innovation. In particular, I have had the privilege to harness the talent and expertise of the Maison and its teams to develop new codes.”

Ghesquière, who spent 15 years at Balenciaga prior to his appointment as Louis Vuitton’s artistic director of women’s collections in November 2013, can be accredited with fueling the French luxury label with increased poise. His design codes are rich with references, spanning those to the Belle Epoque era in the late 1800s and the quintessential shapes of the ’70s and ’80s (most famously coined by Claude Montana and Biba), with a modern outlook.

The designer’s work is critical to Louis Vuitton’s unwavering success: last year, the brand reported record annual sales of €20 billion, which is twice the size of the business’ valuation in 2018.

“[Ghesquière’s] redefinition of the Women’s Universe at Louis Vuitton, including a sharp new ready-to-wear silhouette, iconic models of leather goods and shoes, and numerous astounding destination shows, has contributed in no uncertain terms to the Maison’s success over the past decade,” added Pietro Beccari, Louis Vuitton’s Chairman and CEO. “I am very much looking forward to continuing to pave the future of Louis Vuitton together.”

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